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Rabat – The UK is determined to reinforce trade and investment ties with Morocco, stressing the importance of the North African country as a vital trade and investment partner.
Michael Shanks, the UK Under Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, conveyed his country’s reaffirmation on Thursday at the House of Commons– the lower house of the UK Parliament.
Describing Morocco as a key partner, Shanks recalled Morocco’s assets in the areas of clean energy, decarbonization, and the fight against climate change.
For Shanks, the UK sees Morocco as an “attractive and innovative destination for investment, adding that UK companies are seeking to increase their investments in the North African country
He also recalled the two countries’ agreement to boost their strategic partnership during the visit by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to Morocco earlier this month.
Notably, the UK endorsed Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the most serious and credible political solution to end the dispute during Lammy’s visit to Rabat.
The UK’s government affirmed that it shares Morocco’s view on the urgent need for a resolution to the dispute in the interest of all parties, noting that the time has come to find a solution and move forward on the issue.
The announcement comes amid an ongoing momentum marked by an international consensus supporting Morocco’s position over Western Sahara.
Over 113 countries have expressed explicit and public support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative as a serious and credible basis to end the dispute.
The UK’s traditional position initially focused on supporting the UN-led political process as a basis to end the dispute.
Beyond its position on the Sahara, the UK is seeking to strengthen relations with Morocco at all levels, particularly trade.
Trade between the two countries is constantly growing. The total trade in goods and services between the two countries reached £4.2 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q4 of 2024. This shows an increase of 15.4%.
Morocco was also the UK’s 51st largest trading partner in the four quarters to the end of Q4 2024. This accounted for 0.2% of total UK trade.
